Diploma/Bsc (Hons) Communication Studies (Specialisation: Business Communication) Full-Time (SH350)

Diploma/BSc (Hons) Communication Studies (Specialisation: Business Communication) Full-Time (SH350)

1. Context and Objectives

The Programme aims at broadening and deepening knowledge and appreciation of the economic, social and cultural importance of communication. It also provides practical knowledge and hands-on experience in media or media related industries, both from the local and international perspectives.

Students will learn how to:

 Understand different communication and media contexts  Apply key theories to the practice of communication and journalism  Acquire key skills to work in the changing and dynamic communication and media environment

The Programme offers two fields of specialisation, namely (i) Business Communication (SH350) and (ii) Journalism (SH351)

Exit Points

After successful completion of Year/Level 2, students wishing to leave the Programme may be awarded the Diploma which would earn them a total of 138 credits. In such cases, the following specific titles will be awarded according to the relevant specialisation followed:

 Diploma in Communication Studies (Specialisation: Business Communication)

2. Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, Business Communication students should be able to:

 know the importance and impact of communication in the various spheres of society.  be able to work in any organisation where communication is seen as a strategic feature.

Upon completion of the course, Journalism students are expected to:

 know the key techniques of traditional as well as new forms of journalism.  be able to work in the media (radio, television, print or multimedia) or in any organisation where production of news content and relationship with the media are deemed relevant.

3. Teaching and Learning Methods

 Lectures, tutorials, practical work, case studies, team work, problem solving, role play, simulations, guest lectures, field trips, research project, internships.  Students will be required to do a fair amount of documenting, self-learning and experimenting under the guidance of their respective lecturers / tutors.

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4. Entry Requirements

- General As per General Entry Requirements for admission to the University.

- Programme (Specific) 'O' Level Pass in English Language and at least two Passes at Advanced Level.

Note: Holders of the Diploma in Communication Studies or the Diploma in Journalism awarded by the University of Mauritius may be directly admitted in the third year/level of the programme. They may, however, be required to complete at least the specific modules relevant to their specialisation from Levels 1 and 2 of the current course structure which they have not yet completed.

5. Programme Duration (Full-time basis)

Normal (Years) Maximum (Years)

Diploma: 2 3

Degree: 3 5

6. Minimum Credits Required (LCCS)

For Diploma and Degree Award Minimum Credits Required for Award of Diploma: 138 Minimum Credits Required for Award of Degree: 208

Breakdown is as follows:

Credits from: Core Research Electives Internships Total modules Project

Degree 170 6 20 12 208

Diploma 130 - 8 - 138

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- For each Academic Year

Credits from: Core Research Electives Internships Total modules Project

Year 1 66 - - - 66

Year 2 64 - 8 - 72

Year 3 40 6 12 12 70

7. Assessment and Deadlines

Continuous Assessment: 50% + Examinations: 50% or Continuous Assessment: 40% + Examinations: 60%

Each module can either be taught in one semester only (semester module) or throughout the two semesters (yearly module). Each module will be assessed over 100 marks with details as follows (unless otherwise specified): Assessment will be based on a written examination of 2 to 3-hour duration (normally a paper of 2 hour duration for modules carrying less or equal to 6 LCCS credits, and 3 hour paper for modules carrying 12 LCCS credits) and on continuous assessment done during the semester or year. The continuous assessment will count for 40% - 50% of the overall percentage mark of the module, except for a Programme where the structure makes for other specific provision(s) or where certain modules will be marked solely on a continuous assessment basis. Continuous assessment may be based on laboratory work, seminars and/or assignments and should include at least two (2) assignments/tests per module. An overall total of 40% for combined continuous assessment and written examination components would be required to pass the modules, without minimum thresholds within the individual continuous assessment and written examination. For modules which are assessed on a 100% Continuous Assessment basis, students are required to keep track of all assignments completed in a portfolio to enable monitoring (including presentations, projects, portfolios, class tests, etc.) for adequate moderation.

Submission Deadline for Research Project As per University regulation, the Research Project should be submitted on the last working day of March of the academic year by 4.00 pm at latest and students will be required to upload their projects through the Turnitin platform. The allocation of supervisions will be completed by the end of Level 2 of the programme.

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8 List of Modules . Module Code Module Name Hrs/Wk LCCS L+P Credits CORE COMS 1005(1) Introduction to Media and Communication 3+0 6 COMS 1204(1) IT for Communication 3+0 6 COMS 1002Y(1) Performance Communication Skills 3+0 12 COMS 1008Y(1) Written Skills in English 1½+0 6 COMS 1009Y(1) Written Skills in French 1½+0 6 COMS 1202(1) Principles of Public Relations 3+0 6 COMS 1007(1) Principles of Journalism 3+0 6 COMS 2007(3) Media & Ethics 3+0 6 COMS 1104(1) Politics, Society and Culture in Mauritius 3+0 6 STAT 1201(1) Statistics for Media and Communication 3+0 6 COMS 2105(3) Media: A Critical Approach1 3+0 6 COMS 2101(3) DeskTop Publishing 3+0 6 COMS 2102(3) Organisational Communication 3+0 6 COMS 2201(3) Development Communication 3+0 6 COMS 3004(5) Research Methods for Communication 3+0 6 COMS 2108(3) Data Sourcing, Analysis & Visualisation 3+0 6 COMS 2005(3) Audio-Visual Production 3+0 6 COMS 2109(3) Work Placement I** - 8 COMS 2008Y(3) Integrated Communication Strategies (BC) 3+0 12 COMS 2016Y(3) Marketing Communication & Digital Strategies 3+0 10 (BC) COMS 2009Y(3) Newswriting & Journalism Practice (J) 3+0 12 COMS 2013Y(3) Broadcast & Digital Journalism (J) 3+0 10 COMS 3102(5) Intercultural Communication 3+0 6 COMS 3202(5)R Communication & Media:A Historical Perspective 3+0 6 COMS 3008Y(5) Branding & Advertising (BC) 3+0 10 LAWS 3210(5) Legal Aspects of Business Communication (BC) 3+0 6 COMS 2016Y(3) Investigative & Data-Driven Journalism (J) 3+0 10 LAWS 3211(5) Law Relating to the Media (J) 3+0 6 COMS 4101(5) New Forms of Media 3+0 6 COMS 4201(5) Political Communication: A Critical Approach 3+0 6 COMS3105(5) Work Placement II** - 10 COMS 4103(5) Work Report ** - 10 COMS 4002(5) Research Project - 12

ELECTIVES COMS 3009(5) Aspects of Film Studies 3+0 6 COMS 3215(5) Contemporary Issues in Society 3+0 6

Note: J – Journalism Specialisation; BC – Business Communication Specialisation

** Work Report + elective(s) may be taken in replacement of Work Placement I + Work Placement II (conditions apply)

9 Programme Plan . YEAR I Code Module Name Hrs/Wk LCCS L+P Credits CORE COMS 1005(1) Introduction to Media and Communication1 3+0 6 COMS 1204(1) IT for Communication1* 3+0 6 COMS 1104(1) Politics, Society and Culture in Mauritius1 3+0 6 COMS Performance Communication Skills 3+0 12 1002Y(1) COMS Written Skills in English 1½+0 6 1008Y(1) COMS 1009Y(1) Written Skills in French 1½+0 6 COMS 1202(1) Principles of Public Relations2 3+0 6 COMS 1007(1) Principles of Journalism2 3+0 6 COMS 2007(3) Media & Ethics2 3+0 6 STAT 1201(1) Statistics for Media and Communication2 3+0 6

YEAR 2 Code Module Name Hrs/Wk LCCS L+P Credits CORE COMS 2105(3) Media: A Critical Approach1 3+0 6 COMS 2102(3) Organisational Communication1 3+0 6 COMS 2108(3) Data Sourcing, Analysis & Visualisation1* 3+0 6 COMS 2005(3) Audio-Visual Production1* 3+0 6 COMS 2101(3) DeskTop Publishing2* 3+0 6 COMS 2201(3) Development Communication2 3+0 6 COMS 3004(5) Research Methods for Communication2 3+0 6 COMS2109(3) Work Placement I** (2 months) 8

Core for Business Communication COMS 2008Y(3) Integrated Communication Strategies (BC) 3+0 12 COMS 2016Y(3) Marketing Communication & Digital Strategies 3+0 10 (BC)

Core for Journalism COMS 2009Y(3) Newswriting & Journalism Practice (J) 3+0 12 COMS 2013Y(3) Broadcast & Digital Journalism (J)* 3+0 10

Note for Work Placement I: The work placement should, as far as possible, be carried out in line with the field of specialisation. The placement can be carried out any time after the end of Semester 1 of level/year 2 and must be completed by the end of the same academic year. The placement must last for a minimum of either two months full-time or the equivalent in part-time mode (around 240 hours). After the placement, the student must submit a placement report for assessment around the end of the second semester (the date will be communicated by the programme coordinator). An interview concerning the placement may be carried out if deemed necessary by the department.

YEAR 3 Code Module Name Hrs/Wk LCCS L+P Credits CORE

COMS 4101(5) New Forms of Media1* 3+0 6 COMS 3202(5)R Communication & Media: A Historical Perspective2 3+0 6 COMS 3102(5) Intercultural Communication1 3+0 6 COMS 4201(5) Political Communication: A Critical Approach2 3+0 6 COMS 4002(5) Research Project - 12 COMS 3105(5) Work Placement II** (3 months) 12

Core for Business Communication COMS Branding & Advertising 3+0 10 3008Y(5) LAWS 3210(5) Legal Aspects of Business Communication2 3+0 6

ELECTIVES CHOOSE ONE OR ANY OTHER MODULE ACCEPTABLE TO THE DEPARTMENT COMS 3009(5) Aspects of Film Studies1* 3+0 6 COMS 3215(5) Contemporary Issues in Society1 3+0 6

COMS 4103(5) Work Report** (Refer to note below) - 10

Core for Journalism COMS 3011Y(5) Investigative & Data-Driven Journalism* 3+0 10 LAWS 3211(5) Law Relating to the Media2 3+0 6

Note for Work Placement II: The work placement should, as far as possible, be carried out in line with the field of specialisation. It should last the equivalent of three months full-time or the equivalent on part-time mode (around 360 hours). It is recommended that the internship be carried out between Semester 2 of Level 2 and Semester 1 of Level 3, i.e. the June-July break. After completion of the placement, the student must submit a written report for assessment around the end of the first semester of Level 3 (the date will be communicated by the programme coordinator). An interview concerning the placement may be carried out if deemed necessary by the Unit.

**Note for Work Report: Students having at least one year relevant experience in their area of specialisation may be allowed to submit a Work Report for assessment in replacement of the two work placements (Work Placement II and Work Placement II) which carry 20 credits in all. However, eligible students who choose this option will also have to complete elective modules upon approval of the Unit in order to compensate for the 10 remaining credits. An interview concerning the work experience and report may be carried out if deemed necessary by the department.

Additional Notes: (a) The offering of electives is subject to availability of resources and critical mass. The Department may decide to offer additional electives. Electives may be taken from other departments or faculties, subject to the approval of the programme coordinator. (b) 1 - Module taught and examined in Semester 1. (c) 2 - Module taught and examined in Semester 2. (d) * - Module assessed 100% by continuous assessment (e) R - Research Module, assessed 40% by examination and 60% by continuous assessment. In order to pass, student must obtain at least 50% in continuous assessment, 40% in examination and 50% overall. (f) A core module or an elective scheduled for a specific semester may be offered in another semester, subject to approval by Faculty Board. (g) Certain modules are taught and examined partly or wholly in French. Students are informed at the beginning of the semester by the Tutor.